Wireless bar code symbol driven portable data terminal (PDT) system adapted for single handed operation

Abstract

The wireless PDT of the present invention employs a "display-on bottom" design which places the unit perfectly centered in the hand of the operator, allowing for the best possible viewing as well as providing comfortable single-handed operation. The high-resolution LCD display allows the PCT to show sharp, clear bitmap images while supporting all Windows-recognized font types and sizes. With the auto back-lit feature, the brightness adjusts automatically making the screen easy to read in all light conditions. The PDT is designed for support within the download / charger cradle of a base station which interfaces with a host system using either USB or RS232 interface. Two standard 'AA' or rechargeable Li-Ion batteries provide more than 100 hours of operation. In addition, the PDT comes standard with 2MB of RAM providing enough memory to store over 100,000 records. Applications for the PDT can be developed using a novel integrated development and deployment environment (IDE) which contains an easy-to-use Windows-based application generator and download utilities. For advanced programming, developers can choose to write software using an advanced application generator or 'C' programming application generator which provides the developer with simple programming and fast setup. Further enhancements available in the application generator include drag and drop icons, time / datestamp, battery level indicator and variable fonts, giving the developer the ability to create custom screen layouts.

Description

RELATED CASES[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of: pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 960,247 filed Sep. 21, 2001; pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 990,585 filed Nov. 21, 2001; pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10______ (no serial number assigned yet) entitled "Automatically-Activated Hand-Supportable Multi-Mode Laser Scanning Bar Code Symbol Reading System" filed Nov. 13, 2002; pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 999,687 filed Oct. 31, 2001; pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 954,477 filed Sep. 17, 2001; 09 / 883,130 filed Jun. 15, 2001; pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 781,665 filed Feb. 12, 2001; pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 780,027 filed Feb. 9, 2001; pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 721,885 filed Nov. 24, 2000; pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 047,146 filed Mar. 24, 1998; pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 157,778 filed Sep. 21, 1998; pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 274,265 filed Mar. 22, 1999; U.S. application Ser....

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] Thus, there is a great need in the art for an improved wireless bar code driven PDT system, improved methods of data capture and transaction processing, and improved development and deployment environments therefor, while overcoming the above described shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art systems and methodologies.

Problems solved by technology

While this prior art PDT design has been used for years in various applications, it suffers from a number of shortcomings and drawbacks which detract from the overall end-user experience.

In particular, due to the overall physical configuration of this prior art PDT design, it is very difficult to operate this kind of PDT in a truly single-handed operation.

By requiring two handed operation, the user experience is typically compromised in ways which can reduce worker productivity and efficiency.

For example, the operator cannot easily hold a bar coded garment in one hand while manually keying product-related data into the PDT being held in his or her other hand.

Also, backlit LCD-type display screens provided on such prior art PDTs are generally difficult to view in brightly lit user environments.

Another problem with such prior art PDT designs is that they do not enable simple navigation of the display screen cursor while attempting the operate the PDT using only one hand of the operator.

Another problem with such prior art PDT designs is that they do not typically support development of powerful end-user applications in a simple low cost manner, nor do they enable easy and flexible deployment of developed applications in portable run-time environments that are supported by open-source operating systems having no or low user license fees associated therewith.

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